RE: [CBQ] Re. Lake Forest Archives

["Douglas Harding" <doug.harding@iowacentralrr.org>]

Ray, are you meaning the black strap iron? That is a corner bracket, a piece
of flat steel used to hold the corner of the car together. It is bent at 90,
goes around the corner post and is bolted on both sides with four bolts each
side. Very common on early wood bodied cars. It appears that the corner of
the car has been damages slightly and a new board (not yet painted?) has
been put in place. 

 

The black trapezoid shape under the handrail looks to be the shadow of the
railing, which is tilted at just a slight angle. Note from other shadows it
the photo was taken about noon, with a high sun. Thus dark intense shadows.

 

The abutment reference may be to the fact that the wagons are going
underneath an overhead bridge. And that may be a bridge abutment to the far
right of the photo, just beyond the horse's head.

 

Doug Harding

www.iowacentralrr.org